Cancer-Focused Research:

Dr. Budinger's laboratory is interested in the mechanisms by which oxidant stress activates signaling pathways in the lung. A particular area of interest is the mechanisms by which oxidants generated in response to exposure to airborne particulate matter air pollution activates signaling pathways in the lung that might contribute to particle related morbidity and mortality.

Working with Cancer Center Investigators Drs. Chandel and Multu, Dr. Budinger recently reported that mitochondrially generated oxidants play a critical signaling role in proliferating cancer cells. These investigators are working together to examine the mechanisms by which oxidants generated in response to air pollution increase the risk for developing lung cancer and accelerate tumor progression and metastases in patients with esablished lung cancer.